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As the vice president for Strategy and Communications, Dr. Ellen Beaulieu leads a top-performing Communications team of over 20 professionals who enhance the institution’s reputation with marketing, design, writing, social media, website management, and crisis communication expertise. The team has won numerous prestigious media and public relations awards, including multiple Golden Arrow Awards for media excellence and outstanding magazines. The Communications team has also achieved many Broderson Awards for marketing and design, as well as the prestigious Webby Award for outstanding mobile web design and the University Standard of Excellence Award from the Web Marketing Association in 2024. 

Dr. Beaulieu began her notable academic career as a faculty member at Westbrook College, beginning in 1982. She then served for 10 years as the director of the Dental Hygiene program, where she introduced the concept of dental public health. That focus led to ɫ����Ƶ’s establishment of the first fully online Master of Public Health degree in the country. Dr. Beaulieu also served as faculty senate president and a member of the president’s transition team during the merger between Westbrook College and the University of New England, providing advocacy and change management for Westbrook College faculty, students, and administrators.

During her tenure at ɫ����Ƶ, Dr. Beaulieu consistently demonstrated dedication, commitment, and a spirit of optimism. She became a tenured full professor in 2003 and has since excelled as an educational and administrative leader, directing strategic planning, teaching on campus and online, and implementing new programs. One of her hallmark achievements was leading the planning and design of ɫ����Ƶ’s trailblazing dental school, which opened in 2012. She galvanized resources and earned widespread regional stakeholder and philanthropic support to create an educational model where students provide much-needed dental care to rural populations beyond the confines of the customary teaching clinic. 

Over the past 20 years, Dr. Beaulieu has held influential vice president and associate provost roles at the University of New England. Before advancing to organization-wide leadership, she had an indelible impact on the Westbrook College of Health Professions, advancing through assistant, associate, and interim dean positions. 

As the vice president of Strategic Initiatives, she partnered closely on strategic planning and innovative options with presidents and trustees to implement forward-thinking strategies to advance the University’s mission of “Innovation for a Healthier Planet.” She constantly instituted best practices and policies that allowed decision-makers and teams to bring initiatives to life.

Dr. Beaulieu’s success is built on ongoing learning reflective of her career advancement, first earning an Associate of Science from Northeastern University and Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists to, most recently, a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawaii. Her legacy is one of transformative leadership and a relentless pursuit of human empowerment.